The Finance Ministry has decided not to print Budget 2021 and will go paperless, in a significant break from tradition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first time in the history of independent India that budget papers will not be printed.
The resolution has been taken because the printing course would require a number of folks to remain on the press for round a fortnight amid the coronavirus fears. The price range paperwork is typically printed on the Finance Ministry’s in-house printing press within the North Block.
This budget for the financial year 2021-22 may see several conventions being broken as the sources said that the traditional ‘Halwa’ ceremony may also not take place this year or a subdued function may be held with limited gathering.
“The Budget papers – the Union Budget and Economic Survey – will not get printed, soft copies will be provided,” an official said.
All members of Parliament will receive the soft copies of the Union Budget, the official added.
The Union Budget will be presented on February 1, 2021 by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Last year, the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman did away with a colonial-era tradition of carrying Budget papers in a briefcase and introduced the Budget ‘Bahi Khata’ or a ledger, enclosed in a red cloth folder and tied with a string.
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